Project Management: In the eye of a Lady Architect

5 years in the construction industry and continuing, I have to say that I am loving it. Not just because I am so in love with a mobile work but because I prefer learning more and more about good execution, material installation and work ethics towards new players you work with from project to project. It’s a vicious cycle for me I tend to want to be doing for life. But how does it feel like working as a Lady Architect if you may ask? Do I feel any gender discrimination? Is it hard to keep up with guys? Is it awkward to be discussing and inspecting the site with workers?

Well, first things first, Construction is not ONLY for men. It is open for women as well which is already accepted worldwide. Haven’t you ever seen a lady worker installing a gypsum board wall or inserting rock wool insulation, or maybe a lady safety officer kicking her ass off monitoring precautionary measures on site? I bet you may wonder how they deal with those; exactly just the same to how man does it. In what capacity you may ask? THE SAME.

Well let me you something. Construction looks like a manly work. But as they always say, it all starts with how you execute it. And as a Site Architect, you use 80% of your knowledge for proper execution and management to get a good working progress on site and only 20% of your body by inspecting the site progress which either a Lady or a Man Architect or Engineer would be capable of. Besides, Construction isn’t called a construction without the basic Standards everyone abides to starting from the Safety Management, Project Monitoring Team, Quality Control and Assurance and alike. Yes, Construction is a teamwork that could be led by either a Lady or a Man with passion to drive his team to proper execution. Much may only think less of Ladies executing IF they feel we use our emotions through it. In some ways, I would have to agree. Emotions do always get in a way especially when you feel inferior. But always remember that never to blend your emotions with business works.

Next, Project Management is a very General term. And when I say general, it evokes continuing sub-definitions which also mean continuing branches of work. And as a woman, don’t you know that we play better as a Multi-tasking human being than Men. I could very much attest to this given that I’ve almost handled 3 major projects in my life estimating, coordinating, procuring, negotiating, awarding, execution and turnover a project. Yup, I felt like a living octopus at that time but I managed to do so. But to set things clearly, project management is for a versatile individual which I know Men could be one too.

Now, how do I keep working with guys all around me? To tell you honestly, it isn’t as awkward as how it sound like. Besides, more and more women flack on site nowadays so I don’t seem misplaced. But still, they still fill the number on the manpower counting on site than us Women. What’s awkward however is the private toilet. At times you just have to consider yourself a man by using a portalet which a staff or a worker uses. And staying up late or overnight having to monitor with them isn’t so bad at all but not until you are already married and have kids, now that’s when your momma instinct butts in and decides to go home if you can instead (been there done that)

More about project management is the key to explore construction beyond our main men; our

skilled workers and helpers that is. When I first started working, I have never really mingled with workers. But as I become more of a stand-alone Site Architect (meaning Supervisor-worker relation), I had the chance to understand what they think of. Sometimes, it is actually interesting talking to them about stuffs beyond work because you get to be who you are without being superior even if you are a lady. Don’t misjudge nor belittle them because little do we know, they are the main people in the construction doing all the heavy work at all aspect. Without them, the project won’t finish. Treat them with respect as how you want to be respected. This does not dwell into gender discrimination for this is a General input.

So, what is Project Management in a Lady Architect like me? Teamwork balancing professionalism and gender equality. Well, generally in all aspect.